Page 25 of Vicious Rule

“You better not start thinking you should, son, or you’ll find yourself floating to the bottom of the lake.”

His threat isn’t necessary, but I act like it frightens me to appease him. In truth, I know better than to fuck with my family. They’re vicious. I’ve known that all too well since I saw my mother sent away.

My father continues to talk over my brothers and me, despite his order for me to give my report. “Helix Rule has succeeded in only a few months in getting rid of most of the families who would be his competition. I don’t intend on our family being the next to go down. This area should be run by people who belong here, not some fucking upstart foreigner who should have stayed in his own country.”

For the first time since I arrived at the meeting, my uncle Ludovici speaks up. My mother’s brother, he’s allowed to stay around.

“From what I hear, he was run out of his own country. The bastard had to take refuge on an island.”

“An island he owns,” I correct him. “He’s powerful, but I think with his son working against him, we can weaken Helix Rule.”

This news pleases my father, and for one of the rare times in my life, he smiles at me. “Good. Now what have you found out about Alex Rule.”

Buoyed by his approval, I launch into everything I’ve learned about my new business partner. “He drinks to excess. He snorts more shit up his nose than anyone I’ve ever seen. And he holds nightly parties that are nothing more than a reason for everyone to get naked and fuck. He openly jokes that these orgies are a way for him to relax, but what’s interesting is he’s never with the woman he calls his girlfriend.”

None of the men seated at the table seem impressed by that fact, so I quickly add, “She’s always there, however. She watches while everyone else has a good time. I think she’s the way I’m going to get to him.”

“Really? Why?” my father asks, utterly unconvinced, probably because my plan involves relying on a woman.

“She’s no bimbo who’s there with him just for the money. This woman is smart. She says they’re together, but I don’t believe that for a second and I think she’s growing tired of seeing her supposed boyfriend with other women.”

My brother Angelo finally finishes arguing with my other brother Mario and asks, “I see a flaw in your plan already, little brother. If they aren’t really together, why would she help you at all?”

“Because I think she does care about him a great deal, even if they aren’t actually together, and being forced to be a witness to a nightly orgy while the man she wants is busy fucking anything else with tits that wanders into his house is getting to her. I can tell. So no flaw. Just a little explanation needed.”

My mention of an orgy makes my brother turn to my father with a frown. “Why does Nico get to go to orgies? I can ruin Alex Rule and his business just as well as Nico. Maybe even better. I’ve at least got some experience with the family business. This is the first job you’ve ever given him.”

“That’s because you’ve got a reputation everybody and their fucking brother knows about since you don’t know the goddamned meaning of subtlety,” my father barks at Angelo. “I couldn’t even dream of sending you to do this job. Nico’s the only one who can do this, so don’t question me again or you’ll find out what happens when you do!”

This is par for the course when it comes to my family’s meetings. My brothers squabble about something meaningless no one else cares about, my father threatens people, my uncle tries to add useful details to the conversation to show he still serves some purpose and shouldn’t be sent into exile like his sister, and I try to show them all that I can handle myself and protect the Olivetti family business.

The only problem is now my father is furious thanks to my brother, so that’s going to affect how he deals with me. Anyone who thinks having two older brothers is a positive hasn’t met Angelo and Mario.

My father turns his attention back to me and frowns. Definitely not a good sign.

“This situation with Alex Rule is time sensitive, Nico. There can’t be any screw ups or second thinking. You need to strike and strike fast because I’ve been hearing murmurs that Helix Rule is planning something big.”

“Any idea what it is?” I ask, thinking I should probably have some idea about whatever it is since it will affect what’s happening with his son.

Shaking his head, my father continues to frown. “No, but he’s feeling powerful now. He got rid of most of the families who could stop him in this region. The good thing is, though, that I believe he underestimates our family, which is something we can use to our benefit. All you need to do is get that cokehead son who thinks more with his cock than his brain to give away the store. Once you manipulate him into doing that, we can crush the Rule family and send those motherfuckers packing.”

That brings a tiny smile to my father’s wrinkled face, something I consider good for me, so I smile back at him. “I will. You can trust me. I have this entire situation under control. I’ll get you what you want from Alex Rule, and when I’m finished with him, they’ll be nothing left.”

What I don’t say is not only will Alex be an empty shell when I’m done, but I’ll also have that pretty thing he calls his right hand. I’m going to take away his power, his money, and the woman he relies on most.

And he’s never going to see it coming.

CHAPTER NINE

Sasha

After a full day working side by side without either one of us mentioning what happened last night, Alex sends his men out, leaving just the two of us in his office. He’s been particularly serious about business today after a call from Helix right before lunch.

I sit down in a chair in front of his desk and watch as his expression grows more pensive by the second. Finally when he doesn’t seem to be able to look me in the eye, I say, “Is something wrong?”

Alex shakes his head and glances over at me. “No. Why?”

“Because you haven’t said ten words to me today, and you seem to have some issue looking at me.”

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